Doubles

Most doubles can be categorized in one of two broad types.  Takeout-type doubles are focused on cooperatively finding ____ _______, hoping to play the hand.  These include classical takeout, negative, responsive, and support doubles.  Penalty doubles are focused on “taking a bite out of crime”, i.e. collecting a big number on _________.

Classical Takeout Doubles Review

• The _____________ open the bidding.
• You have one of three types of hand:
  • __________ hand strength, ____________ in opponent’s suit.  (Most common)
    • If your partner makes a non-jump response you should _______ .
  • __________ suited hand, too strong for an ___________ (______ + HCP).
    • If your partner responds in a different suit, you should _____ ______ ______.
  • Big ___________ hand, stronger than a _________ overcall.
    • Follow up with NT rebid.  Cheapest NT shows _____ to ______ HCP.
• Responding to partner’s takeout double in a suit:
  • 0 – 8 HCP _______________________ .
  • 9 – 12 HCP ________________________ .
  • 13+ HCP ______________.
• NT responses:
  • 1NT shows ________ to _________ and promises a ____________ .
  • 2NT shows _______ to __________ and promises a __________ .
  • 3NT shows _________ and promises ____________ .
• Converting the double to penalty:  you need a ___________ ___________.

Negative Doubles Review

• _________ _____________ opens the bidding.
• Negative double promises ___________ in an unbid ________.  Exceptions:
  • 1C by your partner, 1D by your RHO, then your double promises _______ majors.
  • Your partner opens a major and RHO overcalls in the other major, then your overcall promises a __________ suit.
• Point requirements
  • 1 level ___________ HCP
  • 2 level ____________ HCP
  • 3 level _____________ HCP

Responsive Doubles

• Situation: LHO opens the bidding in a suit, partner ___________ and RHO ________ __________ ___________.
  • Example:  LHO: 1H.  Partner: 1S.  RHO: 2H.
• Your double here shows:
  • ________ in the unbid suits.
  • Tolerance (_____________ or better) for partner’s suit.
  • Enough points to compete to the _________ level.
• Note:  If RHO does not raise LHO but instead bids a new suit then the traditional meaning of the double is __________ .  However, many agree to play double as showing the fourth suit with tolerance for partner’s suit.  Good item to discuss with your partner!

Support Doubles

• Your side opens one of a minor and responder answers one of a major.  Next hand overcalls at the 2 level or below.
  • Double by opener shows exactly ________ cards in your partner’s major.
  • Raising responder’s major shows _______ card support.
• If responder can’t get out in 2 of her suit then you can’t make a support double.
  • Example:  1C – (P) – 1H – (2S).  Because you’ve gone past 2H you can’t make a support double.
• Remember, the only player who can make a support double is the ________ .

Penalty Doubles

There are some situations where double isn’t takeout-oriented:

• The opponents make a _______ overcall of your partner’s opening bid.
• After one of you makes a ______________ of the opponent’s takeout double.
• Your partner opens 1NT and RHO overcalls ___________ or higher.
• You and your partner have both bid, they are at the _______ level (or higher) and your side has the _________ _______ _____________ .  Mel calls these doubles “BOP” doubles.

Lead Directing Doubles

After an artificial bid by the opponent, a double requests that you lead that suit.  Examples are Stayman, transfers, artificial responses to 2C, responses to Blackwood.